Across The Universe Beth Revis Book Review

“I never thought about how important the sky was until I didn’t have one…”

I was captivated by the premise of Across The Universe by Beth Revis from the first time I picked it up while book shopping at a soon-to-be closing local bookstore. The two quotes on the back cover of the hardcover edition just seemed to pull me in and I knew that whenever I decided to read Across The Universe, I was going to be going on an adventure. It actually didn’t take me very long to decide to read it either. I bought Across The Universe in mid-January and started reading it in mid-February. As April will tell you, this is a record for me, as I have piles of books that are currently in my TBR pile. Many of which have been there for more time than they ever deserved to be.

Across The Universe

Anyway, enough about me, let’s talk about Across The Universe by Beth Revis. The basic premise of Across The Universe is that Amy Martin and her parents are bound for a new planet in cryo tanks on the spaceship Godspeed. They are supposed to be frozen for the entire three hundred year journey to the new planet however; she is prematurely awakened in a murder attempt, and is forced to enter a new world where nothing is as she remembered it on earth. The world within the spaceship is ruled by manipulation and deception and those in power will do whatever it takes to keep their secrets hidden and a constant level of ‘peace’ upon the ship, including removing the ‘problem’ of Amy herself. Struggling to survive and keep her sanity in this new place, Amy befriends the ships future leader, Elder, and together they work at discovering the hidden secrets of the ship, and the hidden agenda of those running it. But can Amy really trust Elder? Or is he just like the others in power on the ship?

Frex. I love Across The Universe by Beth Revis. The main character, Amy, kicks ass. Even though, she’s scared about so many things that are occurring on the ship after the wakes up, she still attempts to be strong and does her best to hold her own against people who want to destroy her. Another reason that I love her beyond her strength as a character is her connection to Earth, and how she has a character makes you realize and feel that the monotheistic and complacent attitude aboard the ship is just so wrong. I also adore Elder. The ship is the only place he’s ever known but, he is drawn to the world outside it, and there is something within him telling him that the world that he has been living in is wrong. Meeting Amy helps push those internal concerns to the forefront of Elder’s mind, and reading what he does with them and how he interacts with her and the others around him because of them, is simply page-turning goodness!

Besides the characters, another thing that made Across The Universe a page turner is the beautiful imagery and creative scenery that is presented by Beth Revis. The spaceship Godspeed does not actually exist but when you are reading Across The Universe, it almost feels as if it does. The manipulation of the Earth scenery aboard the ship is both compelling and thought provoking as it does make you question the things that you actually take for granted here on Earth. The isolated society aboard the ship also makes you question what one may be willing to sacrifice in order to just simply survive. With my background in psychology (and a bit of sociology), I love books that make you think while allowing you still enjoy coming alone for the ride. Simply put, I cannot say enough about Across The Universe by Beth Revis and I cannot wait to read the sequel A Million Suns very, very, soon!

Thank you! I wanted to tour Godspeed too. Especially all the hidden and secret levels. I also wanted to go through the archives and see more about how they had rewritten Earth’s history. Can’t wait to see what A Million Suns has in store for us!

I was actually really excited for this one too, I read it as soon as I could get my hands on a copy. Despite the awesome premise though, I never really felt that connected to the characters so the book didn’t do much for me.

Your review makes me feel like I’m missing out on something though! I hope you love the sequel just as much 🙂Allison (Allure of Books) recently posted..In My Mailbox

I adore that paperback cover. Good review to start off your career here. I’ve been intrigued by this one, and had it sitting on my shelf for awhile, but your mention of imagery has made it my next read!Bri Meets Books recently posted..Oh, the Places You’ll Go: Road Trip YAs

I’m so like you with the TBR piles! In fact, THIS VERY BOOK is sitting in one of them as we speak! I need to read it because I’ve heard awesome things about it AND the sequel, too. I hope I love it as much as you did, Allison! Great review 🙂Amy @ Tripping Over Books recently posted..In My Mailbox (16)

My TBR piles are legendary, I swear. Just when I think I have them under control, they grow a little bit bigger! Or they get switched around because someone makes a suggestion about a book to read. For example, maybe you should push Across The Universe up higher on your TBR list? 😉

I LOVE this series so much. I understand the TBR pile thing. I ditched mine to read A Million Suns recently. I couldn’t even wait for it to be out here in the UK so I ordered the US edition from Book depository (besides, I like the HB and these are definitely keepers) BTW…A Million Suns is EVEN better.Vicki recently posted..Most Popular Blog Posts (And we want to know what yours are too!)

I love Amy so much because she is not afraid to point out injustice. That aspect of her personality really made me love her. There are a lot of interesting moral dilemmas in this book that are explored even more in A Million Suns. Great review!Kate @ Ex Libris recently posted..In My Mailbox (7)

Great first review Allison! The book doesn’t seem like it’s really up my alley, but I keep hearing amazing things about it and Beth Revis seems awesome! So friendly & fun. Maybe I WILL have to just try it. Can’t hurt, right?Rachelia (Bookish Comforts) recently posted..Required Reading: February 19-27, 2012

Nice job on your first Good Books review! And great choice of books, too. I’m amazed at Revis’s world-building skills, especially within a relatively small place like Goodspeed. You definitely need to read the next book, which I liked even better!Mary @ Book Swarm recently posted..LORD OF THE ABYSS by Nalini Singh

Dude, I freaking loved this book. And A Million Suns is one of those second-books that is better than the first. Like, Holy Batman WAY BETTER. There are so many times you’ll say things out loud like WHAT and OH MY GOSH and things like that in book two. I hope you push it up on your TBR. It’s that good. I had a FIT and read it in like one day.

I want to get in my car and drive to you and place A Million Suns in your hands to read right now. Sigh. But I’ll be patient.Asheley (@BookwormAsheley) recently posted..My Thoughts On: Bewitching by Alex Flinn

Oh my goodness! You’re making me really want to read A Million Suns … like right now! I don’t actually have a physical copy in my hand yet but, I do have a physical copy in waiting you could say. April was wonderful enough to get me a copy from the Breathless Reads tour, and I’ve been told I should be able to have it in my hands when we see each other on Friday. I can’t wait! 😉

Have you picked up A Million Suns? Have you? Have you? I’m so anxious to see your thoughts on that one! (And did you ever find yourself saying “Frexing” outloud? That one got me some eye rolls from my husband!Jac recently posted..Review: The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen

I loved this book… I have to say I’m torn on what cover I like the most. The HC or the PB. I love how beautiful the Hard Cover is, however, I love how the Paper back kinda shows you what it might look like on the ship.

Anything sci fy-ish usually wins me over as long as it’s not too technical. this had just the right amount, enough to keep me thinking, but not too much to confuse the crap out of me. I felt the exact same way about Godspeed. It felt so real to me, and not anytime soon, but I could really see our technology advancing enough some day to do this.

Thank you! I’m glad I liked my review! I can’t wait to read A Million Suns and I completely agree with your sentiments regarding sci-fy material. As long as it’s not WAY over my head it’s usually alright with me. 😉

[…] I’ll be reading Across the Universe by Beth Revis. I started it after I read a review on Good Books and Good Wine that made me want to read it. But then I left it in my car after work and began another book out […]

Hello Reader Friends!

I’m April and am absolutely delighted you stopped by.

You know that person who always has a book in their purse and a glass of wine on hand? THAT’S ME.

In my free time I can be found binge watching The Office with my husband and baby, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring my neighborhood. I’m so excited to chat with you about all the books we’re reading and listening to.